Movie Prompts Firm To Cut Universal Ties

An engineering consulting firm with offices in Orlando has told Universal Studios Florida that it will no longer work for the company because of the movie The Last Temptation of Christ.

Universal spokesman Rod Caborn said Friday that Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc. severed its relationship with the company this week after completing a series of studies on ''transportation infrastructure''needs at its 444-acre site in south Orlando.

Caborn would not comment on Kimley-Horn's decision other than to say, ''We've been very pleased with their services.''

A Kimley-Horn executive in Orlando, Dan Brame, said he could not discuss the situation and referred calls to the company's president, Ed Vick, at corporate headquarters in Raleigh, N.C. Vick could not be reached.

The Last Temptation of Christ was produced by Universal Pictures, whose parent company, MCA Inc., also is part owner of Universal Studios Florida.

The movie has enraged religious groups across the country because they say it slanders Jesus and hurts the Christian cause. They are especially upset by a dream sequence in which Jesus has sex with Mary Magdelene.

The Rev. George Crossley of Apopka applauded Kimley-Horn, which has offices throughout the Southeast.

''I can only say, 'Thank God for Kimley-Horn.' . . . There are going to be more Kimley-Horns,'' said Crossley, who is trying to organize a boycott of Universal Pictures and MCA Inc.

Crossley also has led two large rallies against the film in front of Universal Studios.

Horn provides engineering services to a variety of local companies and government agencies.